Page 55 of The Bonventi Rise
"What's so urgent?" I ask as Gio sits across from me, his face tense and serious.
"We've got a problem," Gio says, leaning forward in his chair.
I shake my head. "When don't we?" My fight with Alina is still burning in my chest.
"This is different." Gio pulls out his phone, taps a few times, then slides it across my desk. "We've got proof, Marco. Solid proof about Sandra Reeves."
My jaw clenches at the mention of her name. "What about her?" I ask, picking up the phone.
"She's not working alone," Gio says, his voice serious. "The Russian mob is backing her."
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I stand up abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. "What the fuck are you talking about?"
"Keep looking at the photos," Gio says, pointing to his phone.
I look down and scroll through the images of Sandra.
"That's surveillance we got from one of the locations we protect. She's been seen with Vashchenko. Twice in the last week alone."
Vashchenko. That bastard's been a thorn in our side for years, always skirting just outside our reach. He's the Russian mob's top man in Chicago, handling all their finances—from hits to skyscrapers. If she's meeting with him, there's no doubt she's getting either intel, money, support—or worse for me, all three.
"Shit," I say as I sit back down. "So Sandra's not just some crusading anti-corruption politician. She's their puppet."
Gio nods. "Yeah. Ain't that something? She's as corrupt as they come."
I can't believe it. That she would have the gall to drag me through the mud with corruption accusations when she's running with the Russians.
"And that's not all, little brother," Gio continues. "I had a meeting with someone—a low-level Russian thug who, after much convincing with an iron bar, says Sandra's been pushing to take you down first, then the rest of us. They've got a plan."
"What kind of plan?" I ask, sliding the phone back to Gio.
"What do the Russians always want? Us gone. The family, the business, everything." Gio's voice is hard. "Sandra's just their pretty face, their legitimate way in. While she screams about corruption and reform, they'll be moving in on our territory."
I think back to Alina's words, her fear when she told me about Sandra's visit. Guilt twists in my gut.
"Does Enzo know?" I ask.
Gio nods. "Yeah. He's calling a family meeting tonight."
I rub my forehead.
"I overreacted," I mutter.
"What?"
"Alina. She came to tell me about Sandra approaching her today. Making threats. Offering her a job." I sigh. "I accused her of considering it. Basically threatened her myself."
Gio raises an eyebrow. "That why she drove away the way she did?"
I nod, shame mixing with anger. "She was trying to be honest with me, and I..." I slam my fist on the desk. "FUCK!"
"Jesus, Marco. Get your head out of your ass. You care about her. However you thought she would originally play into your Senate move, it's changed. She's changed. You've changed."
"I blew it, Gio." The admission costs me something, but it feels right to say it. "You're right. And when she mentioned Sandra, all I could think about was losing her, and I acted like an idiot."
"Look. You know me. My way with the ladies is unorthodox. I can me a little rough around the edges." He smirks. "So I haven’t found someone who can tame me. But you're not a lost cause. With that said though, I want to remind you —"
"I know," I cut him off. "Family first. Always family first."
